sick baby.

Although it's past 9:30, here I sit in my jammies with my glasses on and my mug of coffee next to me typing away. Yes, it's Sunday morning. Yes, I would MUCH rather be at church. I don't like missing church, I miss it when I'm gone. But I've got a sick little girl on my hands... or in my lap, I should say. And yes, I can type and cuddle at the same time. I can do lots of things and type at the same time- as most mothers can.

Just when I thought I could take a deep sigh of relief over the stress of Ariana's tests, she comes down sick. And, in true "I don't want to make it obvious, just to keep you guessing" Ariana fashion, the origins of her illness are unknown. But after about $1,000 worth of torture and testing in the ER last night, what I can be pretty sure of, is that it's not bacterial- which is what I really wanted to know in the first place. And, just to clarify, I really feel that I've overcome that overly obnoxious, anxious "alarmist" mother in me... I got that out of my system with the first child- Grace really was such a trooper and endured many of (probably needless) visits to the clinic, urgent care and ER when she was a baby and toddler. However, Mike and I both agreed last evening that it was time to take Ariana in. After 3 full days of a fever ranging from 102-104, with no other signs to clue us in, we felt it was best if I brought her to urgent care (only cause the Pediatrician office was closed... why do these things always happen "after hours?"). When I took her temp last night and it finally reached 104.6- despite having given her meds, it was time to head in.

So when I arrived at Urgent care (which happens to be in our local hospital) they decided to send her over to the ER based on her high temp and her lethargic disposition. To make a ridiculously long story short- 3 hours, to be exact (thank goodness they've finally put TV's in the ER rooms)- it turns out that her infection is likely viral rather than bacterial- which is really all I wanted to know, anyway. I had to laugh because when I was talking with the ER Dr. he asked me if I was in the medical field. Puzzled I said no and asked him why. He said because I know an "awful lot of technical medical jargon." I found it funny because I thought- if you only knew me sir, you'd know how OCD I can become when it comes to things that matter to me. My kids health, politics, non-toxic living (ha!)- this lady knows her facts and terms!! ;)

So my poor little pumpkin had to have her blood drawn... for the second time in 1 week. And if that weren't bad enough, the first nurse butchered her arm with a huge IV needle. He was trying to line an IV in case she needed to be admitted. I didn't realize that's what he was doing. I thought he was just trying to take a vial of blood, and assumed he would just be using a butterfly needle (the smallest they make)... Nope, he was using a big huge horse needle. And, of course, after torturing her, he failed to get it. Next nurse comes in to give it a try. I see her pulling out another horse needle to line an IV- I was incredulous! What was she thinking?!? Before she stabbed Ariana with it, I intervened and insisted she use a butterfly needle and forget running an IV. She tried. She failed. More screaming. More tears. Finally- someone from the actual lab came down and got it almost immediately. Which was quite a relief.

All of that- for the simple diagnosis: Fever.

Right- so yes, in case you were wondering- I did feel like a bit of an idiot leaving the hospital after allowing my exhausted, sick daughter to be tortured with needles. But, in my defense, back up 3 hours and when I walked in, I did only want her to be seen by a Dr. in Urgent care. But the course of events became a bit out of my control.

So what is the moral of my story? Well- I don't really have one. But, that is the beauty of this blog. It is mine- and I can write meaningless, venting posts if I want to. It's rather therapeutic.

I just want my baby girl to get better. Trust me- this latest illness is doing nothing for the Haggan Dazs milkshakes, which have gone un-touched... as has every other food or drink I've offered her. We are not off to a good start in putting some meat on her bones! We are on day 4 of this fever and I just hope and pray she gets better soon.

Hoping your weekend is going much better!